C—l

115

Trees : Eucalyptus globulus (blue-gum), Eucalyptus obliqua (stringy bark), Eucalyptus pilularis (black-butt), Eucalyptus hemiphloia (box-tree), Eucalyptus obliqua, var. gigantea (giant stringybark), Eucalyptus rostrata (red-gum), Eucalyptus viminalis (manna-gum), Larix europea (European larch), Pinus austriaca (Austrian pine), Pinus laricio (Oorsican pine). Grasses, &c.: Festuca duriuscula (hard fescue), Festuca duriuscula, var. Chewing's (Chewing's fescue), Festuca elatior (tall fescue), Festuca ovina (sheep's fescue), Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot), Poa browni (Brown's poa), Poa arachnifera, Poa pmtensis (Kentucky blue-grass), Sporobolus elongatus (rat-tail grass), Gyno'don dactylon (Doobj grass), Sorgum halepense (Johnston grass), Bromus unioloides (prairie-grass), Paspalum dilatatum (Louisiana grass), Atriplex nummularia (dwarf salt-bush), Atriplex halimoides (tall salt-bush), Danthonia semi-annularis (native danthonia), Stenotaphrum glabrum (buffalo-grass), Pennesetum longistylum, Trifolium subterraneurn (annual clover), Tagosaste sp. (tree-lucerne), Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire fog), Trifolium repens (white clover), Cynosurus cnstatus (crested dogstail), Festucapratensis (meadow fescue), Hedysarum coronarium. On examining the experimental ground during autumn it was found that very few of the treeseeds had germinated, owing to the almost total absence of rain since they were sown in September. Many seeds of eucalypts, pines, and larch could be found quite fresh, and I was assured by the local roadmen that rain had not fallen for one half-day during the six months' interval. In many places where the scrub had previously been sparse the ploughed ground for a depth of several inches had been completely blown away, leaving only the pumice subsoil, while summer frosts, which had ruined most of the Natives' potato and other crops in the district, had also caused considerable damage to the eucalypts and grasses by throwing them out of the ground. So far as the trees are concerned, the experiment has been a failure ; but it must not be forgotten that the season was a most unusual one, and the land could not be sufficiently pulverised, owing to the abundant fibrous roots of various scrubs binding the plough-furrows into continuous matted strips, and also on account of the impossibility of consolidating the land through stumps of scrub being left above soil-level before ploughing. As further proof of the poisonous effects of the foliage of Dracophyllum on grasses (previously referred to), it was observed that in all depressions where the soil appeared richer in character not a vestige of grass growth was discernible. In such localities it was found on digging that these hollows had been filled with Dracophyllum leaves through the agency of wind, and were in all stages of decomposition. The following shows the results to date: — No. 1: Only an occasional plant, in moist spots, afterwards killed by summer frosts— Eucalyptus (all species), Austrian pine, Corsican pine, European larch. No. 2 : JSlo sign of any growth, but probably eaten by hares, which are very plentiful—Dwarf salt-bush, tall salt-bush, tree-lucerne. No. 3 : Very poor growth, only a few plants here and there—Buffalo-grass, Pennesetum, Louisiana grass, annual clover. No. 4 : Fair growth on good land only; no growth whatever on pure pumice, but probably through ground not being consolidated when sown—Hard fescue, cocksfoot, sheep's fescue, brown poa, Doobj grass, Johnston grass, Hedgsarum, Yorkshire fog, meadow fescue. No. 5 : Good, growth all over, except in hollows filled with decaying Dracophyllum foliage— Eat-tail grass, prairie-grass, native Danthonia, white clover, Chewing's fescue, Kentucky blue-grass, crested dogstail, tall fescue (the latter very luxuriant). It is proposed to resow some of the varieties, along with additional kinds which could not be obtained last year, and also a mixture containing those on No. 5 list. Forest Nursery, Eotorua. During January an excellent site for a nursery of about 50 acres was selected to the east of Whakarewarewa, at the base of low hills, sheltered from all prevailing winds. The land is of an even slope towards the north-west, and is of fair quality compared with the general run of land in this district. Already some 30 acres have been cleared, and made fit for ploughing, which is now proceeding. Only about 4 acres will be sown with tree-seeds, planted with cuttings and seedlingplants of native trees and shrubs, this season, the remainder being put into oat-crop for horse-feed. Next year this land will be required to line out the young trees in nursery rows. It is proposed to grow at this nursery young timber-trees for the Auckland District, and also ornamental shrubs and trees (both native and foreign) for ornamental planting at Whakarewarewa, Waiotapu, Pukeroa Hill, Eotorua Eeservoir Eeserve, the sanatorium grounds, and street-planting in and around Eotorua. Provision is made for a water-supply from the Eotorua service for use on seed-beds should a dry season be experienced. For plantation purposes an area of 847 acres surrounding the nursery has been reserved, and contracts have been let for the supply of fencing material, and erecting same. Seeds of the following trees have been obtained to be sown during the ensuing spring : Pinus austriaca, P. laricio, P. strobus, P. ponderosa, Abies douglassi, A. menzeisii, A. excelsa, Sequoia sempervirens, Grevillea robusta. English walnut, English ash, English elm, sycamore, Tyrolese larch, alder, Spanish chestnut, blue-gum, sugar-gum, cider-gum, mountain-ash of Victoria {Eucalyptus sieberiana). For street-planting purposes, the following trees will be'grown : Oriental plane, English birch, mountain-ash, horse-chestnut, lime, and English elm. Plantations. The plantations made by the Commissioner of Crown Lands last year are as follow : Three at Whakarewarewa; area, 21 acres : one at Turakenga; area, 15 acres: one at Mamuka; area, 6 acres : three at Waiotapu ; area, 18 acres : three at Galatea Eoad; area, 15 acres.